About this Event
Unlike the legendary story of blues icon Robert Johnson and his iconic “Cross Road Blues,” blues guitarist Terry Robb and blues pianist David Vest have individually crossed clubs, cities, and countries performing their rich and illustrious discographies to blues fans from north to south, east to west. Now the two musicians have joined forces for CrissCross, the debut album from the duo featuring the almost criminally short but terribly sweet instrumental single “Long Gone Home.”
“Long Gone Home” is as rollicking and terrific as one could hope for as Terry lays down an incredibly intricate bit of acoustic guitar work. It’s unmatched virtuosity you almost take for granted because it’s never ‘showy, David said. Meanwhile, David, not to be outdone, matches Terry note for note on the piano. Far from the classic plodding of some great blues instrumentals, “Long Gone Home” has plenty of pep for its roughly 90 seconds. It’s a track that sees both Terry and David take boogie-woogie-leaning solos for great effect while their fellow musician keeps things rolling.
The fact David Vest and Terry Robb sound like they’ve been joined at the hip for decades is a testament to how formidable both artists are.
The song is just one of a slew of great tracks from CrissCross. Other highlights include the fantastic boogie of “Electra Jane,” with Terry’s blazing fingerpicking complementing David’s toe-tapping, head-bobbing tickling of the ivories, each allowing the other to shine while forming a perfect chemistry together. Another keeper is the tranquil, contemplative “Natural Facts” that welds classical music with the blues for surprisingly stellar results. It’s not your standard genre combination all that often, but both Terry and David tackle the song with verve and dexterity.
David has won a total of six Maple Blues Awards and five Muddy Awards over the course of his career, while Terry is a member of the Oregon Music Hall of Fame and the Cascade Blues Association Hall of Fame.
The title of the new album speaks to the opposing trajectories of the two artists. David was born in Alabama but has called Canada home for some time. On the other hand, Terry was born in Vancouver but has called Portland, Oregon home for many years.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Knox United Church, 345 Pym Street, Parksville, Canada
CAD 33.40
